The Spiral Model: IT Project Management Solutions

The Spiral Model is the neo approach in IT projectPlanning Next Phase(III)--------------------Planning Next
system development and was originally devised byPhase(IV)
Barry W. Boehm through his article published in 1985First Quadrant (I): the top left quadrant determines
"A Spiral Model of Software Development andand identifies the project objectives, alternatives, and
Enhancement".constrains of the project. Similar to the system
This model of development unites the features ofconception stage in the Waterfall Model, here
the prototyping model with an iterative approach ofobjectives are determined with identifying possible
system development; combining elements of designobstacles and weighting alternative approaches.
and prototyping-in-stages. This model is an effort toSecond Quadrant (II): the top right quadrant
combine the advantages of top-down and bottom-updetermines the different alternatives of the project
concepts highly preferential for large, exclusive,risk analysis, and evaluates their task with each
volatile, and complex projects.alternative eventually resolving them. Probable
The term "spiral" is used to describe the process thatalternatives are inspected and associated risks are
is followed in this model, as the development of therecognized. Resolutions of the project risks are
system takes place, the mechanisms go back severalevaluated, and prototyping is used wherever
times over to earlier sequences, over and over again,necessary.
circulating like a spiral.Third Quadrant (III): the bottom right quadrant
The spiral model represents the evolutionarydevelops the system and this quadrant corresponds
approach of IT project system development andto the waterfall model with detailed requirements
carries the same activities over a number of cycles indetermined for the project.
order to elucidate system requirements and itsFourth Quadrant (IV): the bottom left quadrant plans
solutions.the next phase development process, providing
Similar to the waterfall model, the spiral model hasopportunity to analyze the results and feedback.
sequential cycles/stages, with each stage having toIn each phase, it begins with a system design and
be completed before moving on to next.terminates with the client reviewing the progress
The prime difference between the waterfall modelthrough prototyping.
and the spiral model is that the project systemThe major advantage of the spiral model over the
development cycle moves towards eventualwaterfall model is the advance approach on setting
completion in both the models but in the spiral modelproject objectives, project risk management and
the cycles go back several times over to earlierproject planning into the overall development cycle.
stages in a repetitive sequence.Additionally, another significant advantage is, the user
Progress Cycles, IT Project Management Solutionscan be given some of the functionality before the
For Image: The Spiral Modelentire system is completed.
The progress cycle of this model is divided into fourThe spiral model addresses complexity of
quadrants, and each quadrant with a differentpredetermined system performance by providing an
purpose;iterative approach to system development, repeating
Determining Objectives(I)-----------------Evaluatingthe same activities in order to clarify the problem and
Alternatives(II)provide an accurate classification of the requirement
**************within the bounds of multiple constraints.